Nesquehoning residents will see a slight increase in their trash bills beginning in 2025.

On Wednesday, borough council approved a $10 a month increase to trash bills, bringing the monthly bill to $50, effective Jan. 1.

The reason for the increase is due to Nesquehoning’s new trash contract with Tamaqua Transfer. The five-year contract, which runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2029, will cost the borough $3,421,085, approximately $1.4 million over the last contract.

In preparation for this, council, last year, shifted $5 a month from the sewer bills into sanitation, as well as increased the bill $5 a month for residents.

That $10 a month per household generated approximately $187,000 annually, helping to offset the costs, allowing council to implement a smaller increase for 2025.

“We’re trying to never do significant hikes,” said Councilwoman Suzanne Smith, chair of the sanitation committee, noting that the previous board’s action last year on the small hike provided a cushion, and this action will continue building a cushion. “We could have went with no increase or a $5 increase, but then potentially you would be looking at a large one the next time around. We’re just thinking ahead.

“I get that any increase is never wanted ... but it makes the most sense.”

Smith added that council tried to get the most for their money with the contract, adding a second bulk pickup during the month.

Garbage fees have skyrocketed, with neighboring communities forced to double the trash bills for residents to offset the costs.

Smith said that by doing incremental increases as council had done, that is helping them not have to raises fees so much at one time.